“For the first time in my adult life, I am proud of my country,” - Michelle Obama

"There is still a lot of hard work that we as a country need to do. They can’t look to any one individual, whether it’s Barack or it’s the next new hope that’s going to appear to be that savior." - Michelle Obama

“Barack is one of the smartest people you will ever encounter who will deign to enter this messy thing called politics.” - Michelle Obama

"It's like I was shot out of a cannon. I'm so overexposed that I make Paris Hilton look like a recluse."
- Barrack Obama

"It's not surprising, then, they get bitter, they cling to guns or religion or antipathy to people who aren't like them or anti-immigrant sentiment or anti-trade sentiment as a way to explain their frustrations." - Barrack Obama

NEWS

McCain campaign responds to Biden's selection

UNDATED (AP) - Republican John McCain's campaign is wasting no time trying to turn Barack Obama's choice of Joe Biden against him.
It's already come out with an ad featuring Biden's previous praise for McCain and comments critical of Obama from an ABC News interview last year.
Biden said then that he stood by an earlier statement that Obama wasn't yet ready to be president, and that, quote, "the presidency is not something that lends itself to on-the-job training."
A McCain spokesman says Biden in the past accused of Obama of having "poor foreign policy judgment" and said that "Obama is not ready to be president."
Some of Biden's Republican colleagues in the Senate are praising the Delaware Democrat, including Richard Lugar of Indiana and Chuck Hagel of Nebraska.
Even McCain expressed his personal good will, calling Biden, a friend of his, to congratulate him.

McCain plans low-key events during Democratic National Convention

The Associated Press
While in California on Monday, Sen. John McCain appeared on “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.” PHOENIX | Republican presidential candidate John McCain called rival Barack Obama his “very honorable opponent” on Monday as he began a busy week of low-key events.
“This is a tough presidential campaign we’re in,” McCain said. “I have a very honorable opponent. There are stark differences between us.”
In recent speeches, McCain has criticized Obama as not ready to be president and as a candidate who is willing to lose the war in Iraq to win the campaign. When Obama charged that McCain was questioning his patriotism, McCain responded that he was only questioning Obama’s judgment.
Seeking at least a slice of media attention amid the Democratic National Convention, McCain visited the Phoenix high school where his wife, Cindy, graduated.
“I know you have students who come from all over the world. I know there are people here who come from countries, some from Iraq where they have seen the look of war and sacrifice,” he said.
McCain, who turns 72 on Friday, got a generational boost from Daddy Yankee, a Puerto Rican star of reggaeton, a mix of reggae, rap and Latin music styles. Students squealed with delight as Yankee appeared and endorsed McCain.
“I believe in his ideals and his proposals,” Yankee said. “He’s been a fighter for the Hispanic community. He’s been a fighter for the immigration issue.”
Later at a fundraiser in Sacramento, Calif., McCain told backers — including Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger — that he was seeing good news in the polls.
“We had a very good poll today,” said McCain, pointing to a Gallup tracking poll showing the race a virtual dead heat.
McCain told the Sacramento crowd that his wife was to accompany him on the California swing and he apologized for her absence.
“Cindy is not here today, and I’m sorry she’s not,” said McCain. “She’s on her way to the little country of Georgia.”
McCain vowed to put the nation’s most populous state in play, though Obama is thought be ahead there.
“We will not take your money and leave,” said McCain. “We will compete in California.”